Old roses

[Hilary B]

Today we visited NGS gardens (a group of 3) and in one garden, we got chatting to someone who was admiring a rose which the lady in question wanted to acquire a similar one, but didn't know of any variety of the same description. It was a rambler/climber, moss-rose type flower, but what was unusual was the size. These flowers were no bigger than a new-type 50p piece. Anyone know of any roses of this type? This one was a classic light pink, but we would be happy to hear about any colour of similar rose.

[Sweepster]

There's one here with small flowers:

David Austin Roses

Have a look at 'Dorothy Perkins' and 'Kiftsgate' too.

[Flummery]

Kiftsgate has white flowers and is VERY vigorous. Could it be the climbing form of Cecile Brunner? Try and look it up on one of the growers' sites. It's also called the Sweetheart Rose - small and perfect little blooms. I have the non-climbing form but I first saw it as a climber in a garden I visited.

[Sweepster]

For some reason I was thinking of only single flowers... Agreed, Cecile Brunner is more the thing - my neighbour has the climbing form, and it's gorgeous.

[Hilary B]

I had a look, not Cecile Brunner, but just might be 'the fairy', in the same section of a 'gallery of old roses' that I found online.
Ta

[IgglePiggle]

Wow that Cecile Brunner is stunning Its going on my list

[Flummery]

My Cecile Brunner is planted next to another small flowered old rose - called de Meaux. We live near the site of Meaux abbey. The little rose is a belter but a bit susceptible to black spot in a bad year.

[bluemoon]

This is wonderful! My gran had a rose garden, planted in the early 1920s, which she managed to hang on to, despite the dig-for-victory campaign (she apparently lost lots of other lovely things though as Gramps was keen on growing the war-time veg). I didn't think you could get those lovely old varieties any longer. I'm planning a rose garden right now and I've ordered a David Austin catalogue, I know I can browse on-line, but this feels like something I want to do from my armchair.

[Sweepster]

My Roseraie de l'Hay is in flower at the moment - it has the most wonderful scent. Also eagerly awaiting the first flowers on Charles de Mills, planted as a bare root last winter along with Zephirine Drouhin (climber). Rather recklessly cut the rambler Alberic Barbier right to the ground because it had blackspot, but it is sending up new shoots. T'is addictive, this rose growing

[coreopsis]

It is addictive.I always thought that roses are very fussy plants and couldn't get bothered with them for a long time.I was wrong.
I got my Zepherine from my neighbour-one of the most beautiful scents.I wanted to plant a climber anyway.One of my favourite rose suppliers is Cocker's Roses-they have one rose which name makes me laugh-Sexy Rexy

[BilboWaggins]

Kiftsgate has white flowers and is VERY vigorous. Could it be the climbing form of Cecile Brunner?

I'm looking for a rose to go up a very tall pergola (11 feet above ground, yes I know that is huge but it had to be that high!)

I'd like something which repeat flowers, and scent is a must. Colour not important.

Problem seems to be that Climbers repeat flower but only get to 8 - 10 feet tall whereas Ramblers will get big enough (20 - 30 feet) but don't repeat.

Help, just spend an hour driving myself nuts searching David Austen Roses - please can anyone suggest something suitable?

[Sweepster]

How about growing a clematis through a rambler - you could choose one that flowers after the rose has finished, so sort of takes over from it and extends the flowering period.

Edit: Phyllis Bide is a repeat flowerer, but only gets to 10ft; Malvern Hills ditto, 10-12ft. R. Moschata 12ft. R. Banksiae Banksiae has 'some' repeat flowering and is 30ft. New Dawn, a climber, reaches 10-15ft. Mmmm I like this vicarious rose-shopping

[BilboWaggins]

How about growing a clematis through a rambler - you could choose one that flowers after the rose has finished, so sort of takes over from it and extends the flowering period.

As Ron famously said to Hermione "you're brilliant". Why on earth didn't I think of that - love clematis!

Mmmm I like this vicarious rose-shopping

We aim to please Where do you "shop" apart from David Austen?

[Flummery]

I'm looking for a rose to go up a very tall pergola (11 feet above ground, yes I know that is huge but it had to be that high!)

I'd like something which repeat flowers, and scent is a must. Colour not important.

Problem seems to be that Climbers repeat flower but only get to 8 - 10 feet tall whereas Ramblers will get big enough (20 - 30 feet) but don't repeat.

Help, just spend an hour driving myself nuts searching David Austen Roses - please can anyone suggest something suitable?

Kiftsgate isn't a repeat flowrer. Have you looked up Rambling Rector?

[Sweepster]

We aim to please Where do you "shop" apart from David Austen?

The last two I bought were from crocus.co.uk (on sale), but they came with David Austen labels on anyway!